Human and Cosmic Thought: (Cw 151)

by Rudolf Steiner, Robert A McDermott (Introduction), Charles Davy (Translator), Frederick Amrine (Contribution by)

Overview

4 lectures, Berlin, Jan. 20-23, 1914 (CW 151)

What convinces us of the truth of a certain point of view? Why do we find it difficult to comprehend viewpoints that differ from our own? What are the inner foundations of our knowledge?

In these concentrated and aphoristic lectures, Steiner speaks of twelve main philosophical standpoints, and the importance of understanding each of them. An appreciation of the variety of possible worldviews not only sharpens and makes more flexible our own powers of thinking, but also helps us to overcome a narrow-minded one-sidedness, promoting tolerance of other people and their opinions.

Steiner goes on to explain how each standpoint is also colored by a particular "soul mood" that influences the way we pursue knowledge. Several philosophers and their works are characterized in this way, shedding light on their contributions to human culture. Through such insight into the true nature of human thinking, we are led to understand the quality of cosmic thought and how, in Steiner's words, people can be seen as a thought that is thought by the cosmic hierarchies.

Human and Cosmic Thought is a translation from Germen of Der menschliche und der kosmische Gedanke (GA 151).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781855846647
Publisher:	Rudolf Steiner Press
Publication date:	07/09/2024
Series:	Collected Works of Rudolf Steiner , #151
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.

Nick C. Thomas has been the full time General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain since 1985. He trained as an electrical engineer in the Royal Air Force, serving as an engineering officer for sixteen years and, subsequently, worked in data communications for Nortel. With Lawrence Edwards and John Wilkes he researched the practical application of projective geometry. His major research interest is the development and application of Steiner's discovery of negative space to building a bridge between natural and spiritual science. He lectures widely on this and on other anthroposophic subjects.